The past couple of months have been a tough row to hoe for local retail businesses—many of which have been shut down for a time due to virus-related dictates.

Typical revenue streams that flow into those businesses haven’t been there.

And when retail suffers or lessens, a trickle effect can occur with landing industry that creates primary employment positions—a direct goal and ambition of the Andrews Economic Development Corporation.

Flora Braly is among the many mayors around Texas who feel their areas have been financially impacted by the virus pandemic and should receive a chunk of billions in relief dollars awarded to the state through a recent federal act.

A building next to Porter’s in the city’s main shopping hub off N. Main that has been vacant for about a year has at least one commitment from a retail business new to the community, according to city officials.